Koen Ghesquière

Ceramist

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Koen Ghesquière

Ceramist

One is never too old to learn a new craft. Ceramist Koen Ghesquière found his calling at the age of 52. What started as a witty experiment, has now grown into Belgium’s most sought-after ceramic label. His products are parallel to his personality: raw, honest, pragmatic, and unapologetically down to earth.

One is never too old to learn a new craft. Ceramist Koen Ghesquière found his calling at the age of 52. What started as a witty experiment, has now grown into Belgium’s most sought-after ceramic label. His products are parallel to his personality: raw, honest, pragmatic, and unapologetically down to earth.

You live in a beautiful classical townhouse in Antwerp-North. Through the door, there’s a wide corridor that leads to the pottery atelier. How important is the combination of living and working at home?

It’s crucial, for it suits my way of life. When I wake up in the morning, I need my coffee, observe the oven, and drink more coffee. The production is kept in-house and all items are hand-made. When I bought this gem a couple of years ago, I renovated everything from top to bottom. As you can see, I’m a self-made man. The kitchen is of my own making, same goes for the furniture and the cabinets. This place holds my home and my atelier, and three apartments that I rent out. My son lives here, and so does my brother. I love having people around.

Didn’t you also own a house in the South of France where you organized summer camps and workshops?

I worked on that dwelling for more than 15 years. My ex-wife got it in the divorce. Losing it felt like an amputation. My first three ceramic ovens were built there. In Antwerp, I work with electricity, which is extremely expensive and it’s not the same as working with fire. It’s like barbecuing on wood fire, and cooking with a frying pan: not the real deal. My label GHESQ is growing and I feel I have reached my limit. There’s not enough space for an extra oven. If I continue expanding, I’ll have to look for a bigger space and employees, although that idea really frightens me. I really love it here. It has an outdoor feeling to it, but I need trees. I need to work and live outdoors again.

Is ceramics a craft you’ve always been interested in?

Not really. I’m interested in all kinds of craftsmanship. My ex made figurative sculptures. You could say I was always surrounded by ceramics, without being aware of it. For years I’ve worked in the entertainment business. But all of the sudden I felt like learning a craft, learn something new. We had a pottery wheel and I said to myself: let’s try it and see what happens. Four years ago I made my first cup and I never stopped.

Did being a handy man teach you pottery techniques? Or did you enjoy formal training?

Dear God no, I’m the worst student. I’ve never obtained an official degree, and I handle myself badly in large groups. When I have specific questions, I address fellow ceramic. But other than that, YouTube has been the perfect tool for me. Most things I learn is through watching videos and trial and error. I always tell people there’s a big difference between knowing and experiencing. Everything I know comes from practicing and making mistakes. How do you think Raku (red. A Japanese pottery technique that produces cracking) originated? This remarkable art form wasn’t born out of caution.

Your objects can be found in Antwerp’s finest restaurants. How did that come about? How did people find you?

It grew organically after I met Paul Morel, the cocktail master of the restaurant The Jane that belongs to chef Sergio Herman. We have a special connection and whenever he goes to fairs, I provide him with a load of new cups. Who says cocktails can’t be served in a cup? Stone came before glass, which is a mere by-product. It was Morel introduced me to other chefs, for whom I make custom ceramics.

How do you create bespoke cups and plates: do people know exactly what they want or does it come to life spontaneously?

It’s a collaboration. I invite clients over to discuss what they want. In the meantime, I’m throwing clay on the potter’s wheel. I love it when people give me confidence and they just let me be. I’m not ego-minded. I don’t do ceramics just for me. What I do is creating consumer goods. I do my creative part, but I work in function of others. That’s how it works. It’s all about finding the right balance. For a while, I thought about making art objects, but that’s not me. I like my products to be used. My creations may look pretty, but they cannot attract too much attention.

What is it you love about your job? The process of doing ceramics is known to be very soothing.

Have you ever tried it? Time literally stops when you are behind the wheel. The process is about mindfulness, it’s really Zen. Sometimes it’s compelling, especially when you work at height. Then you have to be really focused. Because when you make a mistake, you have to start all over. The best moment is when you determine the shape. Every object has its remarkable moment. The creation process is fun, but it’s only 10% of the job. There’s also coloring and glazing. Once a cup, a plate, a vase, a pot or a lamp shade is done, you still have to sell it.

How do you feel about the sudden revival of ceramics? It seems like every Millennial or artist is doing it. Do you consider it your ultimate calling, or do you see yourself learning a new craft in the future?

Ceramics is indeed fashionable and popular again. Now it’s ceramics, maybe billiards is next. (Laughs). This old craft has been around for more than 20.000 years. We will always eat from plates and drink from cups. Ceramics will not fade. What strikes me though, is its underestimation. Brands and companies claim they praise local craftsmanship, but they don’t. Most products are made in big quantities in factories abroad and all looks the same. Moreover, they appoint designers or chefs to create ceramics. I love my profession, but maybe in ten years time, I’ll be doing something different, like glass blowing or knife making. Who knows what the future holds for me? I just know, that when I truly enjoy something, I go for it a 100%.